I spend a substantial amount of my day on my desk, typing away to glory. Most of the time I also end up eating my meals on it! And binge-watching on Netflix as well. And I’m sure that’s the case with most of us, since working from home became the new norm, and our home offices became our new hang-out spots. But having a great desk is really important! Simply a ‘good’ desk won’t do either. A great desk helps us work comfortably and effectively. It puts us in the right mindset, helping us achieve our daily productivity goals and checkmark all the tasks on our to-do list! Not only should our desks be clean, but they should also sport an ergonomic and functional design! And good looks are an added bonus. And finding a desk that does all of the above can be a Herculean task. But worry not! We’ve curated a collection of innovative, highly functional, and aesthetically pleasing desk designs, that will end your hunt for a great desk once and for all! From an IKEA-worthy minimal foldaway desk to a convertible standing desk that doesn’t use motors to change forms – there’s a perfect desk in here for everyone.
1. Flow Wall Desk
The Flow Wall Desk is a great piece of office furniture for those spaces that aren’t quite large. It’s the kind of furniture piece that is both functional and decorative, but at the same time maintains a rather simple design philosophy and is sustainable as well!
Why is it noteworthy?
The Flow Wall Desk is something that might be able to fit all of those requirements for a piece of furniture. When “stored” and folded up, it looks like a piece of art on your wall with its minimalist, geometric shapes. Initially, it’s a flat canvas and when you unfold it, it looks like a “spiraling caterpillar” and you realize that it is turning into a desk where you can work, read, or write in your journal.
What we like
- Multifunctional design
- Sustainable
- Features a flatpack form
What we dislike
- Folding and unfolding the desk whenever you need to use it means we can’t have a constant setup
2. The Alada Desk
Designed by Daniel Garcia Sanchez for Woodendot, the Alada folding desk is a nifty space-saving desk that doubles up as a super cute decorative shelf. Within seconds you can transform the Alada desk into a display shelf that can hold your favorite souvenirs from picture frames to even potted little plants.
Why is it noteworthy?
Sanchez designed the Alada desk, as he witnessed an ever-growing need for smart and flexible desk designs for working at home. Since work from home is a pretty common norm nowadays, it’s important to have a transformative and space-saving workspace at home – one that can be neatly tucked away when your workday ends!
What we like
- The multifunctional desk has also been equipped with hidden storage spaces when it is folded up, to provide neat hiding spots for your laptop and notebooks
What we dislike
- Not suitable for people who prefer larger and more elaborate desks
3. The Axis Concept
With this more mechanical standing desk concept, you can enjoy the benefits of a healthier working lifestyle without breaking your back or your bank.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Axis concept uses a simple axis mechanism, hence the name, to move the larger desk surface up or down as needed. As a bonus, part of the desk actually remains in position and is a good place to put items you’re less likely to move, like supplies or desk organizers. It can even be a temporary bookshelf that stays in the back of your desk when sitting or beneath the table when standing.
What we like
- The simplicity of this system means that manufacturers can keep the number of parts and materials down to a minimum
- Sustainable materials can be used since it has no need for electronics or even plastics
- Replacement parts could be easier to purchase, too, presuming owners themselves can’t make those out of standardized design
What we dislike
- We run the risk of object falling/rolling off the desk when we transform the desk
4. in.water
This desk is striking in its minimalist beauty. The piece of furniture is flat-packed and easily assembled, composed of nothing more than two pairs of aluminum legs and a plexiglass tabletop.
Why is it noteworthy?
The table has a translucent gradient that goes from blue to frost white, creating an interesting visual even when it’s devoid of anything on top. The choice of color is, of course, intentional, and it is meant to convey the image of a clear body of water partially reflecting the blue sky.
What we like
- It can be made from 100% recycled plexiglass and aluminum, and its flat-pack design produces less carbon footprint during transportation
What we dislike
- Showcases no way to add drawers, cable management setup or any accessories to the glass top
5. teenage engineering Field Desk
Modular furniture, however, also brings its own kind of complexity, especially since it might lock you down into a specific way of doing things or storing your stuff. teenage engineering, better known for its funky-looking electronic music products, is offering a solution that its own workforce uses, providing nothing but the framework to which modules can attach later on as the owner sees fit.
Why is it noteworthy?
This table is the very same table that teenage engineering uses, so there has to be some trick to its simplicity. That trick is what it calls its “field rail system,” an open-ended range of interconnecting aluminum rails that enables attaching modules or additional parts to a piece of furniture like the field desk.
What we like
- Allows their employees to design their own workspace according to their needs and tastes
- All rails and clamps are made with 75% recycled aluminum by Scandinavian manufacturer Hydro
What we dislike
- The aesthetics are very industrial in nature, not allowing much visual customisation
6. The Kabinett
Conceptualized by Stockholm-based designer Alexander Lervik and manufactured by Finnish furniture manufacturer Adea, the Kabinett is a minimal and sturdy cabinet designed for modern home offices…that also doubles up as a work desk!
Why is it noteworthy?
Kabinett is a part of Adea’s Smartwork range, and it aims to function as an ergonomic set-up for home offices. While functioning as an efficient work table, Kabinett also serves as a rather stylish and elegant dresser.
What we like
- Multifunctional + ergonomic design
- Its minimal aesthetics are a plus point since this allows the furniture to seamlessly merge with all kinds of home offices
What we dislike
- Bulky + space-consuming design, not ideal for small homes
7. The Flip Desk
An excellent desk is imperative for a productivity-conducing office space. Not only should our desks be clean, but they should also sport an ergonomic and functional design. And with the space constraint issues that most modern houses face today, we can also add ‘space-saving’ to the checklist. And one such design I recently came across is the Flip Desk!
Why is it noteworthy?
The issue of space constraint is really a major one in the contemporary apartments of today. Hence, having a dedicated workstation that not only amps up your everyday productivity but also manages to consume a minimum amount of space in your home. And this is where the Flip Desk jumps right in. Designed by Zurich-based designer Charles O. Job for the Dutch design brand Vij5, this minimal and sturdy desk promises to take up zero floor space.
What we like
- Space-saving design
- Minimal and contemporary aesthetics
- IKEA-inspired aesthetics
What we dislike
- The desk does not offer any aesthetic solutions for when the desk is closed
8. Pipeline Desk
There are ways to give a piece of furniture a bit more character without going overboard with extraneous embellishments. This peculiar desk, for example, definitely makes an impact with its pipe-filled body, almost creating a visual metaphor for how desk designs could help or impede your productivity, a.k.a. your flow.
Why is it noteworthy?
Metal pipes have always been associated with an industrial aesthetic, leaving no ambiguity to their utilitarian purposes. Stacking these many and creating a whole piece of furniture from them definitely helps send that message across.
What we like
- The pipes bend away from the others, creating nooks and slots to hold bags, books, and other items. There are also longer “deviations” that serve as shelves for computer peripherals or even a space for a furry friend
What we dislike
- It’s a style that’s not going to appeal to everyone, and some might even feel uncomfortable looking at the ribbed surfaces everywhere
9. The Program
Named the “Program” this modular desk is ideal for creative individuals who love the freedom of organizing their desks as per their needs. Depending on the task at hand or the kind of tools required, the desk comes equipped with various cubbyholes and hanging spaces for you to get creative, literally!
Why is it noteworthy?
The different storage modules can be suitable for storing files, documents, or even your favorite magazines or sketches. In addition, the desk has a large storage box and a two-part table to further extend the modularity aspect. I find the design an eclectic mix of structure yet chaos – it has enough options to create an organized workspace or to embrace the chaos – it gives you the freedom to make your desk setup work for you.
What we like
- Multiple and innovative storage modules
- We can collapse the Program’s desk section and make it a display for all your hanged memorabilia
What we dislike
- Limited to only creative individuals
10. Zedo Desk
Not only should our desks be clean, but they should also sport an ergonomic and functional design. One such desk I recently came across is the Zedo Desk.
Why is it noteworthy?
Designed by Paolo Pampanoni for the workplace furniture brand Narbutas, the Zedo desk is great to bring some personality and character into a dreary old corporate office. It can be used as an individual desk or linked together with multiple other Zedo desks. The flexible desk system has distinct metal parts, and colorful accessories to help you create a desk space according to your personal taste and requirements.
What we like
- As ideal as Zedo is for office space, it could also work great in your home office
- You can team it up with the Polytone-L chair, which is also by Narbutas
What we dislike
- The aesthetics of the Zedo Desk are strictly minimal – adding individuality will be a task
